Gallery

A digital archive showcasing the extensive collection of jewellery and adornment images shared on the former Ethnic Jewels Ning site over the years. These images have significantly enriched discussions on cultural adornment and its global dispersion.

Belt - Ottoman

Posted by Peter Hoesli on November 16, 2014 at 4:26pm

This is a very special belt! The buckle has a shiny pink background on which the gold plated filigree has been mounted (I have a filigree belt from Buchara, which is featuring the same type of pink background on which the goldplated filigree works have been mounted). The chains are extremely fine. The most extraordinary thing on this belt are the filigree pieces - alternatively arranged in pure silver and silver gold plated. The way these filigree pieces have been fastened on this belt is in my opinion quite unusual for this fine type of belts. The belt itself is woven silk. All in all - a fabulous belt.

Comments

Renee from Amsterdam November 17, 2014 at 1:55pm

Indeed a very fine piece, Peter. How old do you estimate it to be?
Betty November 17, 2014 at 2:07pm

This is extremely beautiful and sophisticated work, Peter. The pink backgrounds continue to intrigue me. Is it a kind of Laquer, perhaps? The decorations on the belt itself remind me of my Armenian belt which also came with round and leaf-shaped elements that were alternately fixed to belt. Kind regrads, betty
Lynn Ardent November 17, 2014 at 5:21pm

It is wonderful. I am intrigued by the decorations on the belt which resemble the whale and flower (hut wa zahr.) Marjorie Ransom tried to find the origin and meaning of this motif in her visits to Yemen in the early 2000's but could not.

This article has an example of the whale part if you scroll down: http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/201201/silver.the.enduring.cr...
Peter Hoesli November 17, 2014 at 6:00pm

Dear Lynn, Betty and Renee; Many thanks for your messages. As mentioned with regards to the other Ottoman ornament, I would allocate this piece also to somewhere in the east of Turkey, hence, close to the border to Iran and Armenia. I absolutely love the pink background for silver or silver gold plated jewelry - it is so elegant. I will post now a photo of a belt from Bukhara, which has a pink background. Regards. Peter
Johanne November 18, 2014 at 12:01am

I think it's rare that the silk belt survived in this condition! Beautiful! Thanks for posting.
Lynn Ardent November 18, 2014 at 1:52am

Here is an example of a Yemeni belt with the whale and flower, hut wa zahr. This is the work of a contemporary Yemeni jeweler.
Renee from Amsterdam November 18, 2014 at 9:53am

Very interesting to see this recently made belt, Lynn, thanks